In the military camp, everyone except Liang Xiao and the Shadow Guard Commander Ding Wuyi knelt.
“The victory at Yanzhou has electrified the nation, and I am greatly pleased! I understand that clearing the battlefield and recording merits is a time-consuming process, but my anticipation is boundless. The Grand Tutor, Minister of Personnel, Assistant Minister of Works, General who Pacifies the East, Marquis of Anguo, and Imperial Son-in-law Liang Xiao, your merits are world-shaking and must be announced nationwide! Princess Ning Shuang is proud of you and misses you day and night. If you have time, Lord Liang, you may personally bring the merit book to the capital to receive your rewards! By Imperial Decree.”
After Liang Xiao received the imperial decree and expressed his gratitude, the generals were perplexed. “Why are they sending the Deputy Marshal to the capital…”
Although the Yanzhou army was still resting and not immediately reinforcing Yunzhou, suddenly ordering a regional commander to abandon his troops and go to the capital was utterly bizarre.
It couldn't be that his merits had overshadowed the emperor, and they were preparing to discard him after he had served his purpose, could it?
Only Liang Xiao understood what was happening. He blushed inexplicably and said, “It is only proper for this general to go to the capital to secure your rewards. During my absence, I will trouble all of you to assist Commander Ding in overseeing the grand affairs of Yanzhou.”
The others suddenly understood and readily agreed.
If Liang Xiao himself was to secure their rewards, the old officials like Minister of War Dugu Qun, Minister of Civil Affairs He Wanli, and Minister of Revenue Ouyang Ji would probably not dare to obstruct him with various plausible excuses!
Ding Wuyi took the list of spoils of war handed over by Liang Xiao and took a deep breath.
“A cumulative total of ninety thousand usable warhorses??”
That was enough to form two to three thousand cavalry!
Liang Xiao nodded. “This is normal. Some were recaptured from near the battlefield. The Barbarian Cavalry each has three warhorses, which is why their cavalry is so powerful. Before the barbarians fled, they casually wounded their fleeing horses, otherwise, we could have captured another ten to twenty thousand.”
Ding Wuyi was both astonished and delighted, but then his expression quickly turned to worry. “Why could the barbarians assemble such a shockingly large cavalry force, and have so much grain and fodder? This matter must be thoroughly investigated!”
Everyone nodded thoughtfully, vaguely guessing the reason.
The barbarian lands were relatively barren and unsuitable for cultivation. Even if they produced abundant cattle, sheep, and warhorses, raising so many would require vast amounts of grain and military supplies.
For a century, Great Qian had traded with the barbarians, but it did not permit its citizens to sell weapons, armor, or grain to them.
It was highly probable that merchants and powerful families within the country had been secretly supplying them with these items!
Liang Xiao smiled and reminded, “Investigate thoroughly, but don’t rush.”
Ding Wuyi understood implicitly and began to console the soldiers in the camp.
No one questioned the treatment of the Qingtian Guard and the Great Qian Iron Guard anymore. Some soldiers were even vying for replacement spots in the two major legions, hoping to be reserves at the very least.
In this battle, the Great Qian Iron Guard suffered over two thousand casualties, and the Qingtian Guard lost nearly four hundred. The entire Great Qian nation relied on them to withstand the ferocious onslaught of the Barbarian Cavalry.
The Barbarian Cavalry were not all light cavalry; those responsible for the charge naturally wore heavy armor.
Even so, the two legions, using war chariots and heavy shields in conjunction with armored soldiers, powerful bows and crossbows, *modao*, and long *changshuo*… had managed to block the enemy’s massive forces!
“How could that Que Yue formation be so ferocious?” Ding Wuyi, standing on the city wall and seeing the seventeen thousand severed barbarian heads piled outside the city, couldn't help but gasp.
“Actually, this formation has significant limitations. After using it once or twice, the enemy would know how to counter it,” Liang Xiao said with a smile.
Seeing that no one else was around, Ding Wuyi asked in a low voice, “What if the enemy learns it in the future?”
Liang Xiao whispered, “Without terrain support, without sufficient powerful bows and crossbows and war chariots, if our side simply dispatched cavalry to circle around the flanks and attack their rear, or avoided direct confrontation and repeatedly harassed them, gradually wearing them down, they would not be able to endure it, as they are heavily armored and their mobility is poor. However, this formation can also be used for slow advances and to retake Helan Mountain, deploying it as the situation dictates.”
Ding Wuyi suddenly understood and was full of admiration.
The soldiers in the front ranks, carrying *modao* and heavy shields and wearing infantry armor, were burdened with nearly a hundred catties, making movement extremely arduous, which was a clear weakness.
The barbarians at night could not see the full picture of the Que Yue formation, and in their haste to attack the city, the cavalry in the rear, eager to press forward and unaware of the situation ahead, could only charge forward one after another, resulting in such heavy losses.
Ultimately, any formation, no matter how brilliant, depends on the flexible application by its users!
“What if they don’t fall for it in open warfare?” Ding Wuyi asked.
Liang Xiao replied, “The Qingtian Guard and the Great Qian Iron Guard have other formations available. Moreover, the real star of this battle was the crossbows. Without the support of crossbows, the barbarians could not have suffered such astonishing losses.”
Ding Wuyi instantly understood.
The Ministry of Ordnance, under Liang Xiao’s guidance, was not only producing weapons and armor but also frantically crafting arrows. Simultaneously, they were secretly building Zhuge Repeating Crossbows and San Gong Bed Crossbows, and improving the power of ordinary hand crossbows.
These arrows inflicted almost devastating damage on the barbarians, and rushing the production of arrows was the paramount priority!
After understanding the situation in the northern military camp, Ding Wuyi sighed with admiration several times.
The Yanzhou defenders had truly undergone a complete transformation, worthy of the support of the entire Great Qian nation!
After Liang Xiao finished recording the merits for the soldiers, he finally returned home.
“Husband~” Jian Qinwan and the others heard the news and happily crowded around, their faces full of pride.
“Why have you all come out? It’s so cold outside, quickly come back to the courtyard with your husband!” Liang Xiao was overjoyed and kissed each of them.
The Liang Mansion was filled with laughter and joy.
“How are you so amazing, to be able to kill so many cavalry!” Luo Qingxue’s eyes sparkled, and she almost fainted into Liang Xiao’s arms.
“It was a trap!” Liang Xiao said with a smile.
“What is a trap? Does it mean inviting the opponent in to die?” everyone looked bewildered.
Liang Xiao froze and chuckled.
He was so happy that he almost forgot that some allusions had not yet emerged in this world!
“It’s a legend, from ancient times…”
Liang Xiao explained from a different angle. His wives listened intently, unconsciously leaning closer to him.
Zhen Mi watched and playfully chided, “Brother Xiao, Mi’er’s ‘Great Qian Knights-Errant Chronicle’ is almost finished writing…”
Liang Xiao was both surprised and delighted. “Excellent! It’s just in time to serialize it in the newspaper!”
Recently, Liang Xiao had no time to write new stories. Whether it was ‘Journey to the West’ or other tales, they were all drawing from Liang Xiao’s previous work, which was running out.
Zhen Mi then beamed and handed the ‘Great Qian Knights-Errant Chronicle’ to Liang Xiao for review.
“Wait, why does the protagonist ‘Liang Xiao’ also know the art of earth遁?” Liang Xiao was startled after reading it.
Thinking of earth遁, Liang Xiao suddenly remembered “Tu Xingsun.”
‘Investiture of the Gods’ is a story from the transition between the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Perhaps he could write about it when he had free time?
“Mi’er doesn’t care! Brother Xiao can do anything!”
The courtyard was filled with warmth and affection. To the north of Yunzhou, the Barbarian Right Worthy King was full of vigor, making arrangements for his march, ready to cross the river at any time.
“Everyone, take this seriously! Before the Tian Jiang thaws, we must bloodbath at least one of the three northern territories!”
Just then, a messenger arrived. “Reporting to the Deputy Marshal! The Grand Marshal has been defeated at Yanzhou and has come to surrender!!”
The Right Worthy King, who was directing the march, said without thinking, “Oh, join forces? That works too. Let’s focus our main attack on Yunzhou.”
As soon as he spoke, the Right Worthy King suddenly turned back, glaring at the messenger. “What did you say? Defeated and seeking refuge?!”